Catalonia Needs Migration Governance, Not More Arrivals

Migration Policy Lacks Central Strategy

David Garrofé, a Catalan entrepreneur, argues in an opinion piece published today by VIA Empresa that Catalonia does not need more immigration, but rather a coherent system to govern it. He highlights that while successive regional governments, from Jordi Pujol to current President Salvador Illa, have invested in integration services, there is no unified strategy across departments responsible for housing, education, employment, language, and public services.

No Central Authority for Migration

Garrofé notes that Catalonia’s current approach fragments responsibility across multiple agencies, resulting in reactive management rather than proactive governance. Despite the 2010 Law on Welcome for Immigrants foreseeing a dedicated Agency for Migration in Catalonia, it has never been established, highlighting a gap between policy design and implementation.

"The question is not whether we need more or less immigration. The question is: who governs migration in Catalonia today? And the answer isn't clear."

Economic Model Must Shape Migration

The article stresses that migration should align with Catalonia’s economic goals. If the region aims to grow sectors like biotechnology, green energy, or artificial intelligence, its migration policy must prioritise skilled professionals. Conversely, reliance on low-wage, labour-intensive industries will require different workforce planning. Garrofé warns against treating migration as merely a social issue, stating it is fundamentally demographic, economic, territorial, and a matter of cohesion.

Proposal: Catalan Integration Capacity Index (ICCI)

To guide annual migration planning, Garrofé proposes creating an independent Catalan Integration Capacity Index (ICCI). This would assess objective indicators such as:

Labor market needs by sector
Retirement projections
Affordable housing availability
School and healthcare capacity
Catalan language course supply
Water and infrastructure sustainability
Public service funding stability

Based on this index, the government could publish a yearly Catalan Catalogue of Strategic Professions, directing recruitment and integration efforts efficiently.

Call for Institutional Reform

Garrofé advocates for structural change, including the creation of a new executive department, Ministry of Demography, Talent, Immigration and Cohesion, directly under the Presidency. This body would oversee a reactivated Catalan Agency for Migration Governance and a multi-stakeholder Catalan Council for Migration Governance, involving local authorities, businesses, unions, universities, and civil society. He also supports pre-arrival integration: forming partnerships with sending countries, offering vocational training linked to Catalan job markets, and beginning Catalan language instruction abroad so newcomers arrive with employment pathways and cultural familiarity already underway.

"Catalonia must recover reciprocity: we offer opportunity, but ask for commitment, to learn our language, respect our laws, and engage in civic life."

Reported by viaempresa.cat.